Related

VANCOUVER — A snowboard cross afterthought for much of his career, Kevin Hill of Vernon capped an incredible week Friday by winning SBX gold at the X Games in Aspen, Colo.

The breakthrough win came seven days after the 28-year-old, who was eighth at the Sochi Olympics but still considered a world championship podium long shot, earned a silver medal at the 2015 FIS snowboard worlds in Kreischberg, Austria.

In the six-boarder final at X Games, Hill was even with a couple of other riders out of the gate and off the first two jumps, then grabbed the lead in the first big turn and was never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

After crossing the finish line and skidding to a halt, he fell on to his back and screamed “Oh my god, so stoked,” as teammates rushed to congratulate him.

“Best one yet,” he said of securing gold at an event that remains at the top of the list for many extreme sport athletes. “I wanted to win X Games more than the Olympics. I’m so excited.

“It’s been my No. 1 goal for a long time.”

Hill won his quarterfinal heat, a race in which world champion Luca Matteotti of Italy was eliminated, and topped his semifinal as well. In the final, Omar Visintin of Italy took silver and American Nate Holland the bronze.

“It was the best feeling ever to be able to get an early lead and take the race from start to finish,” said Hill. “I’ve never felt so fast and confident on my board.”

Lindsay Jacobellis of the U.S. won the women’s SBX at X Games for the ninth time. Quebecer Dominique Maltais was second and Nelly Moenne Loccoz of France third.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

Canada’s Kevin Hill wins X Games gold

Video

Sports Highlights

Best of Postmedia

To steel himself for the year-long journey that began Wednesday, Jonathan Pitre has been going over the hard calculus that underpins his decision to pursue a high-risk, high-reward treatment in Minnesota

When he woke up in tears the morning after he had cried himself to sleep, Rohit Saxena knew what he had to do. Leaving his wife, Lesley, asleep in bed, Rohit went downstairs, opened his laptop and began to write. “They say your kids are your hearts outside your body,” he wrote. “I’ll always be […]

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.